2021 NCAA 2nd Round: (8) LOYOLA vs (1) IllINOIS (Sun 11 CBS)

[Adunk33]

That was a thing of beauty. It was a fun day to live in central Illinois.

100%. Unfortuately, I don't get to see the Birds play in late March, so I have to live vicariously through other MVC teams.

All last week I told anyone who would listen that the Blers would give Illannoy fits. Most of them scoffed with a "yeah right" attitude and asked "Have you seen Illannoy play?" I answered asking them if they have seen Loyola play. Many responded by ignoring the question and said, "Illinois plays top 25 teams every week and dominates them." I responded by saying Loyola plays college basketball.

Loyola plays college basketball. So, what does that mean? They play together, there is no ego on that team. On defense, they are going to make to run your stuff for 25-30 seconds. When the Blers on on O, the opposition better be ready to play D for 30 seconds. Some teams are disciplined enough to handle it, others are not. Illannoy relies on a handful of NBA guys who think you can just outscore your opponent. That doesn't work in March.

Watching a lowly MVC team take it to the "Crown Jewel" of Illinois basketball was a wonderful way to spend part of a Sunday afternoon.

[sivert]

If Loyola played Illinois 10 times, Loyola wins at least 8 of those. That was pure domination. Congrats Ramblers.

Interesting hypothetical. I think if LUC plays Illannoy 10 times, LUC wins 3.
Once Cofi learns to pass to an open man, they will take over. He had 4 assists on the year. He is just so efficient 1-1 that he seems to never have learned to pass the ball. But when you’re triple teaming him every time he gets it, there’s a lot of open shooters and he would learn to find them.

If he never learned that skill, then yeah, LUC might win 8.

What nonsense. So you are saying if these same two teams played each other 10 times? Nobody plays an opponent more than twice in a season. I'm sure if Loyola had to play anybody ten times their winning percentage would decrease. If you could theoretically play a first meeting ten times, Loyola would win 8.

I agree with your specific hypothetical, Drakey. I was talking about a hypothetical where they actually play 10 times.

[Red]

That was an amazing performance yesterday. Good luck going forward but it doesn't seem like the ramblers need it.

[mvfcfan]

Based on Arch Madness I don't think the Ramblers take anyone lightly, but they need to just keep doing what they've been doing. Oregon State looked pretty tough themselves, so I hope Loyola doesn't think they have an Elite 8 appearance in the bag.

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

Based on Arch Madness I don't think the Ramblers take anyone lightly, but they need to just keep doing what they've been doing. Oregon State looked pretty tough themselves, so I hope Loyola doesn't think they have an Elite 8 appearance in the bag.

I agree. I think that if there is anyone prepared to knock off a hot 12 seed, Loyola is as "sure thing" as it gets...If such a thing exists.

[Dawgbit]

Outplayed, out coached, out hustled. It is impossible not to like Loyola. Unless you are a”Big” Ten fan! Keep er movin’!

[Blers42]

Outplayed, out coached, out hustled. It is impossible not to like Loyola. Unless you are a”Big” Ten fan! Keep er movin’!

I know Michigan fans enjoyed watching the Illini lose lol.

[Action10]

Wasn't sure where to ask this, so I'll use this game thread... What does everyone think of Ayo Dosunmu as a player in the NBA? The Illini forum is going nuts about him being a legit star. I see him being a first round draft pick, but I don't see him being a great NBA player. Frank Williams left Illinois early for the NBA in the early 2000's and only lasted 2 years in the league after being a first round pick.
I just wanted another opinion, I couldn't post this among Illinois fans and get anything but an angry, emotional response about being anti-Illinois.

[Rambler63]

Donsunmu has good size for a shooting guard in the Big Ten, but he'll have to move to point guard in the NBA and beef up a bit. He shot 41% on threes as a sophomore, but only 29% as a freshman. So he's going to have to make a change to his body that will affect the balance between strength and quickness. Some players can make that kind of a transition, others can't.